hy
pale.

"The yard's full o' mens--Yankees," she gasped, just as the General
and Hugh rose from the table.

"How many are there?" asked both gentlemen.

"They's all 'roun' the house ev'y which a-way."

The General looked at his sweetheart. She came to his side with a cry.

"Go up stairs to the top of the house," called the boys' mother.

"We can hide you; come with us," said the boys.

"Go up the back way, Frank 'n' Willy, to you-all's den," whispered
Lucy Ann.

"That's where we are going," said the boys as she went out.

"You all come on!" This to the General and Hugh.

"The rest of you take your seats," said the boys' mother.

All this had occupied only a few seconds. The soldiers followed the
boys out by a side-door and dashed up the narrow stairs to the
second-story just as a thundering knocking came at the front door. It
was as dark as pitch, for candles were too scarce to burn more than
one at a time.

"You run back," said Hugh to the boys, as they groped along. "There
are too many of us. I know the way."

But it was too late; the noise down stairs told that the enemy was
already in the house!

As the soldiers left the supper-room, the boys' mother had hastily
removed two plates from the places and set two chairs back against the
wall; she made the rest fill up the spaces, so that there was nothing
to show that the two men had been there.

She had hardly taken her seat again, when the sound of heavy footsteps
at the door announced the approach of the enemy. She herself rose and
went to the door; but it was thrown open before she reached it and an
officer in full Federal uniform strode in, followed by several men.

The commander was a tall young fellow, not older than the General. The
lady started back somewhat startled, and there was a confused chorus
of exclamations of alarm from the rest of those at the table. The
officer, finding himself in the presence of ladies, removed his cap
with a polite bow.

"I hope, madam, that you ladies will not be alarmed," he said. "You
need be under no apprehension, I assure you." Even while speaking, his
eye had taken a hasty survey of the room.

"We desire to see General Marshall, who is at present in this house
and I am sorry to have to include your son in my requisition. We know
that they are here, and if they are given us, I promise you that
nothing shall be disturbed."

"You appear to be so well instructed that I can add little to your
information,